ISACA leaders from seven large chapters gathered on Capitol Hill on September 19, 2024 to meet with our representatives to advocate for policies to help America meet the demands of a growing cyber workforce and critical need for trained professionals. Congress is currently considering several policy measures to build the cyber workforce and improve U.S. cyber posture. ISACA research estimates that over ten million new jobs will be created in critical cyber fields over the next three years. We had a great day and appreciated the opportunity to engage with our representatives to discuss these critical issues.

Here are the details of the legislation where ISACA is focused:

• Cyber Regulations Informed by Best Practice: Congress should continue to support cybersecurity regulations based on best practice, common standards, and leading stakeholder frameworks by passing:
  • S. 4630, the Streamlining Federal Cyber Regulations Act, a bill to establish an interagency committee to harmonize cybersecurity regulatory regimes across the federal government based on common standards.
• Skills-based Hiring:  ISACA supports the White House Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) plan to revise education requirements for cybersecurity professionals to better reflect the makeup of today’s workforce. 
• Improving Training and Hiring Programs:  Congress should pass the following legislation which will make training and hiring of IT and cybersecurity professionals more accessible and affordable:
  • H.R. 4502, the Modernizing Access to Cybersecurity Experts Act 
  • S. 4981, the Cyber Ready Workforce Act
  • H.R. 6585, the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act
  • H.R. 6655, the Stronger Workforce for America Act (H.R. 6655)
  • HR 8469, the Diverse CyberSecurity Workforce Act
  • S. 3792, the Technology Workforce Framework Act of 2024

The National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 8070, should pass with the following provisions important to cybersecurity professionals:

• Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC) program
• Lateral entry programs for highly qualified personnel in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)
• Comptroller General Review of DOD AI Activities
• AI Literacy for Armed Forces Members
• Pacific Intelligence and Innovation Initiative
• Defining and Planning the AI Workforce
• AI Pilot Programs